La Vita e Bella is a touching but tragic film. Although the specific story is not based on fact, the setting of the film is based on historical fact. By the time La Vita e Bella was filmed many young people were too far from World War II to completely appreciate the horrors of the war and the beauty of survival; however, this film helped to bring this time to life for many people.

Despite all the horrors of concentration camps, Roberto Benigni manages to bring warmth to the story. One of the reasons for the warmth is that viewers meet the characters when their lives are simple and happy. We see them first as Guido and Dora fall in love and begin to share their lives together. Additionally, we understand the characters because they are so well-developed. The viewer completely understands why Guido...